Today Direct To Home is gaining popularity thanks to their features and service which are far better than typical Analogue Cable Operators. Direct To Home provide better viewing experience with quality services, hassle free TV Viewing with advance features like Electronics Programming Guide, Interactive services and many more. Here I am sharing my Review of Airtel Digital TV which is one of leading Direct To Home (DTH) operator in India. I am sure it will help people to know more about Airtel Digital TV, DTH service from Airtel.
Airtel digital tv
Buying
I bought Airtel Digital TV Online from Airtel.in. There were many questions in my mind when I decided to buy online. First and foremost question was will I get good Set Top Box (STB), because if I buy from a dealer I can choose, but here I will have to take what they will offer. Second thing was will I get everything done in timely manner? Anyway with the offers available online (15% Cash Back & Free Goodie Bag), I decided to buy online. I ordered 4350 (Ultra Pack – 12 Months) on 25th Jan around 11.00 a.m., through Credit Card. There were two options to choose, Debit Card/Credit Card. I got the Transaction ID as my payment was successful.
Pre Installation
By 2.00 pm in afternoon I got a call from ADTV CC, confirming the payment received and about the installation time. I preferred 26th Jan (it’s a holiday). Time slot allotted to me was 2.00 pm. They also provided me the customer id at that very moment. Around 4.00 pm, I received SMS from ADTV about Customer ID and Installation Time. Next Day, Around 2:10 I received call from ADTV guys, they were in front of my home, I instantly said “oh wow”.
Installation
It took around 50 minutes to finish installation. The accessories used were very good. I got signal of around 247-252 which is considered very well. Also I got 100% signal quality. I got the 1st STB, the one with which ADTV launched. In 15 minute time my account was activated, and I was able to view the channels. I was quite impressed with service of ADTV.
Hardware
STB and remote both are very good. Remote for ADTV being a Universal Remote is an added advantage. Now I only use my TV’s remote, if I has to change some settings, else most of time I don’t even care where the remote is. Buttons on remote are placed very well. Only OK button I feel needs some attention when has to press.
Picture Quality
When I first saw the picture, my first expression was its At Par with Tata Sky (my earlier DTH) or may be slightly better. After tweaking my TV settings for 2-3 days, now I am able to get picture quality which is much better than Tata Sky apart from one or two channels where pixilation is quite apparent. Picture quality of ADTV is much better. Take my word for it; it’s really amazing (obviously you would have to fiddle with your TV settings a bit).
Airtel Digital TV
Sound Quality
Wow, is the word that describes it. Here ADTV has clear advantage. Although I feel Zee Café has sound problem. When I first switched to Tata Sky from Cable, I was very disappointed with the sound quality of Tata Sky; But Airtel has superb sound quality. If you are having Home Theater System or Component System, you will really relish sound quality. Even on normal TV speakers it sounds pretty good
Audio-Change in Airtel Digital TV
Channel Change/Navigation
This is the real concern about ADTV; Cannel change is slow; it almost takes double the time Tata Sky does. Also there is problem on unsubscribe channels and channels having active services, mini guide does not show up on these channels. Although there is a plus point that we can scroll by Genre, which really speeds up the navigation.
Logo
Logo is semi transparent and utmost care has been taken for the placement of it. It is assured that Airtel Logo won’t disturb your TV Viewing.
Software
Its something that really impressing. I would rate software as one of the best. Apart from one or two issues its great software.
• Mini Guide :
Mini Guide in ADTV has full 24 hours program schedule. You can set reminders from mini guide, change audio language, can check program details, and also navigate by genre. A visual indicator is also shown for the duration of program. You can also set favorite right from Mini Guide, so no need to go to settings to add channels in favorite list (I really missed it in Tata Sky).
Airtel Digital TV Mini-Guide
Airtel Digital TV Mini-Guide
Airtel Digital TV Mini-Guide
Airtel Digital TV Mini-Guide
• Favorites:
We can set 4 favorite lists of 15 channels each. If you use it carefully, then you have 3 options. 4 Lists (15 Channels Each) or 1 List (60 Channels) or 3 Lists (1 – 30 Channels, 2 and 3 – 15 Channels Each). There is another option “Most Viewed”, which automatically stores most viewed channels.
Airtel Digital TV Favorites
Airtel Digital TV Favorites
Most Viewed:
Airtel Digital TV Most-Viewed
• EPG:
A full functional 7 Day EPG. You can check EPG for all channels or can check by genre. There is also option to Search a program (option missing in many other DTH). We can search by program name, program details, Date/Time. A full on-screen keyboard is show to type. I love this feature.
Airetl Digital TV EPG
Airetl Digital TV Search Key
Airetl Digital TV Search-Results
There is another option “What’s Playing Now” in this all current programs is alphabetically placed followed by start time and channel name.
Airetl Digital TV Whats-Playing-Now
• Widgets
Though not very useful, there is another feature called widgets. Here you can get Weather information, Stock Markets, Latest News, World Time all this while you are watching your favorite program.
Airetl Digital TV Widgets
Customer Care
One of the important things to consider when someone buys a DTH is Customer Care. Till now, I would rate them very good. I got cash back in time, also got my Goodie Bag delivered in time.
Interactive Services :
Airtel Digital TV offer various interactive Services which make your TV viewing different then your cable operators and those are:
iAstro:
Airtel Digital TV iAstro
iLearn:
Airtel Digital TV iLearn
iMatinee:
Airtel Digital TV iMatinee
iNet :
Airtel Digital TV iNet
iNews:
Airtel Digital TV iNews
iShop
iTravel
iGames :
Airtel Digital TV iGames
Final Verdict
Overall, I am very much satisfied with Airtel Digital TV, Good Picture Quality, Superb Sound, Affordable Packages, and Good Customer Care.
Airtel Digital TV
Some useful information for new customers:
- If you buy online make sure you get Online Transaction ID. This ID will be used for any reference with Airtel, until you get Customer ID.
- While buying from dealer, check the contents of the box. Make sure you are getting everything.
- During Installation, try to get signal strength 242+. If you are getting anything less than 220, ask technician to fix it. Also make sure the Dish is properly fixed.
- Save the Mobile No. of the technician. Also try to get the phone no. of local ADTV office (they will call that no to activate your account).
- Save your Customer ID, this is the most important thing. In your future correspondence with CC or recharges or changing packs you will need this.
- If you are contacting CC by email, make sure you mention your customer ID in subject line.
- To get optimum picture quality, fiddle around with your TV settings.
- Read the manual carefully, so that you have complete knowledge about STB settings and remote.
- Try to have Airtel Mobile No. as your Registered Mobile No., SMS from Airtel No.’s to 54325 are Free, so you can save here also.
- If you feel any picture problems or hiccups, before calling CC check Cable connections yourself, if any connection is loose, tighten them.
About Review:
Review is written by our Writer Vivek based on his own using experience.
Popularity: 2% [?]
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Sir,
A long review but it has few ommissions and errors. I hope you correct them next time. The main problem we as net surfers face is this buttler english. I wish it could have been better.
Thanks for your feedback. This is user’s own review so I didn’t make changes, I noted your point and will correct it.:)
Nice Review and I want to add:
Pros: Good picture/audio quality, Wonderful service delivery, Universal remote.
Cons: Slow channel change time, Some apps not working, Less new channel additions
Please let me know the advanced setting is there is any option to add transponders.
Thanks Vivek
Well, some suggetion by me too,
1. just write abt games available and if possible do insert some images of that games.
2. If possible then plz add abt alignment procedure of the antenna of adtv and also online adtv a/c page with recharge page images.
@Sachin
Thanks for your feedback…
BTW… the word in Butler and not Buttler
@all
thanks for your valuable suggestions….:)
Great work.
But, as an airtel DTH user u have given your experience and compared airtel with TS. It would be better if you have compared other DTH also.
Nice review…makes me feel I shud choose Airtel over TATA.
dear Sir
recently i purchased an AIRTEL HD.the co-axial output of the STB is given to co-axial input of my hometheatre system(mitsun make, MIT X-7)but instead of getting a hometheatre effect,i am getting just a normal effect without any speakers giving the individual sound,without channel separation for the channel, NGC-HD the only one channel which they r transmitting.may i know,wat i have to get a real hometheatre effect with my H.D/home theatre system.thanking you…
i recently puchase the airtel dth and really very unhappy abt this because i am not able to see properly font and colour background. is this mean if airtel logo is in red and white so they can use this colour airtel tv also .i really very stuck this is very big company and how can they mistake in to set colour and font size it should be big and less option on one page.i guess they never see tata sky and dishtv operating system otherwise they did’nt mistake like that.
IN SHORT WHATEVER COLOUR AND FONT SIZE THEY USED FOR OPERATING SYSTEM IS REALLY VERY SEEMS LIKE THEY DO NOT WANT TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION THEY WANT USE ONLY THEIR LOGO COLOUR WHATEVER THEY USED. I HOPE THEY TAKE THIS ON HI PRIORITY BASIS AND CHANGE MAKE US HAPPY…………..
PRAVIN -
Can we use Airtel D2h with TV Tuner(External) on my PC ??
add star jalsa
Hello shahinur,
Star Jalsha is already available with Airtel Digital TV at Channel No. 545! Kindly check it.
Airtel Digital TV is it works in Dubai. please tell us how to install and where it available in Dubai. Is there any office here for ADTV in Dubai.
I bought ADTV 2-3 days back. For STB, RJ45 option is available. What is the use of this option.
Subject improve service
Dear Sirs,
REF: 30060 49829
I have purchased one HD DTH from M/s Rajkumar.
From then onwards, I have been facing a lot of problems because of useless oursourcing agent, Magnum solution.
On 9th November 2010, one anand has installed dish attenna on a slope of the II floor and
given an ordinary set top box. He assured me that service would begin within 2 hours. But, due to the faulty and ordinary set top box, we could not view any channels.
On 10th November 2010, we have talked to one vidya on your toll number who has not given any number. When I insisted to her to give complaint number, she replied that there is no such docket number.
On 11 th November 2010, I have again contacted your toll free number at 1.30 p.m., one person has given one reference number 5327016. Thereafter one Manash has given one complaint docket number 4423849 at 13.20 hrs ib 11.11.2010.
On 11th November 2010, one Vijayakumar has brought one HD set top box and thereafter only, we have started viewing some channels. We could not look some channels as it showed a note SM !. we thought it as a payment channel.
On 12th January 2011, when I telephoned your toll free number for enquiring about recharge, one mr Thomas has put my customer ID as 3006049819 instead of correct 3006049829 in your systems.When he was not able to put my ID correctly, he has argued terribly. Atleast he should have asked it for one more time. He has blamed me without knowing his mistake. When I asked him about my ID number you have entered in the system, then only he understood his mistake. With these staffs, how you would run a DTH
On 2nd May 2011, as we couldn’t look any channel and it showed signal strengh as 0 %,
we have complained. AS it has been restored partially, I have complained again and got a complaint docket number 7542558 at 6.15 pm on 2.5.2011.
On 2nd May 2011, one call has come from 9677129253and asked to make a complaint to 9677129250 for re-location of dish attenna. When I tried to make several time to contact 9677129250, no one has attended the phone on 2-.5.2011 at 3.46 pm. But finally one prema has attended the phone and asked unrelated several questions only but not tried to take any step in .rectifying the misktake.
On 3rd may 2011, I have again complained and got a ref no 7585781 by one Yogesh. But no one has come to recify the fault nor even contacted the fault but cleared the docket without clearing the fault. Thet have commented that the consumer was not available on mobile so they have closed the docket. Is it justified by you? And the truth is no one has contacted me. As they have commented like that in your system, are they substantiate the proof?
On 4th May 2011, I have 3 messages that the fault was resolved. AS the fault is not resolved, I have contacted and informed all details to your toll free number where they have given one
nodal officer number 044 42102783 and asked to contact to one joseph george.
On 4th May 2011, when I contacted your nodal office and spoken to one manjesh who has assured that he would send one person to solve the problem by evening . Manjesh has given one interaction ID 149651275 dt 4.5.2011 at 115pm.
On 5th May 2011, I have contacted your nodal office where one gurpreet has spoken at 11.10 am and given interaction ID 149914504.
Again Mrs Gurpreet has spoken from 011-46867900 at 12.29 pm today (5-5-2011) and one Johnson has spoken in between by a conference call. Johnson has informed that he had already informed to my wife on 2nd May for re-locating the dish is chargeable. Immediately I rung my wife whether any one named johnson has asked for any charges for which she has replied that no one talked ever for re-locating the dish attenna.
Initially, they have installed in a wrong place of slope. They have given an ordinary set top of
box and then replaced it after complaining. Now they are demanding charges for re-locating it in the same premises to get good signal strength.
Thereafter one vijayakumar telephone from 9677129269 on 5.5.2011 at 12.55 pm and one saravanan has spoken from 96771273 at 1.55 pm.
After arriving our home saravanan has demanded cash RS 200 for re-location of dish. When I
refused to give money, he has spoken to his office magnum solution and went nearer to dish and returned without re-locating it and argued with me he has recified it fully. Even then it showed only 60% signal strengh. As they are aiming to get money for re-locating dish, this saravanan has gone without changing the dish as per the direction from his office.
As I am not satisfied with the service, why don’t you send some other outsourcing agent to rectify my fault.
As I am having full faith on AIRTEL, I am requesting you to give full satisfaction in rendering services.
If the outsourcing agent behaves like this with educated, what would be the fate of lessor educated or no educated.
If you are not recifying the fault fully by 10th May 2011, I would prefer to complain to consumer forum and with TRAI
thanking you,’
friendly yours,
e.n.arun
inspite of writing to nodal office, they are not solving the problem